Handmade guitar
Maggie gets very upset with me when I haul out the recycling because in it she sees endless possibilities, countless projects just waiting to happen. One of her favorites is Marching Band. Brothers get recruited as workers or audience members, and if they're really lucky, they get to march as well. She makes all the instruments: maracas, shakers, tambourines, drums, bottle flutes, and guitars.
To make her Box Guitar all you need is a box, some rubber bands, tape or a stapler, and an empty paper-towl roll.
- Cut out a square(ish) on the front of the box, and a hole big enough for the roll at on end.
- Tape or staple rubber bands across the open section on the front. They should be pretty taught.
- Stick the tube in at the end and tape to secure it.
- Strum!
I was surprised at how well this worked, while not exactly the most musical of sounds, it definitely made different pitched plinks and plunks when strummed.
Next time, I'm thinking I'll break out the tempera paints, and glitter glue so she can properly decorate her oeuvre, and make it her own (dub Tim Gunn voice-over here). As is this photo feels a bit too much like product placement for me . At least this time, she chose a soda bottle for her flute instead of the usual wine or beer :-)
Today is one of those days... I'm still under the weather (I'm convinced it's the Plague), the house is a disaster, the laundry pile has morphed into a mountain range, the baby won't nap, and I'm too wiped out to entertain him. For me, this is a Donovan moment.
and the kids LOVED it. I never expected them to react so strongly to it, but by the end of the viewing they were sleepy, but oh so happy, and both commented on how much they liked the movie with BIG smiles on their happy faces. What a perfect way to end the weekend and head off to bed.
We spent Thanksgving with extended family and re-discovered my sister-in-law's family. At the end of the evening we listened to some recorded-at-home tracks; written and performed by her niece. Today I had to post a link to share the work that this young woman is doing. 
for his train collection. On those days where we evil parents have banned the Electronics, you can count on the boxes being hauled out (and they'll stay out for several weeks). You might have noticed M&B are incredibly industrious when motivated, and even work together from time to time without bashing each other over the head with a tracks.
